News

Padmore to Race in Silverstone Classic

20th July 2009

British sportscar racer Nick Padmore has announced that he will compete in this weekend's Silverstone Classic, challenging in the World Sportscar Masters and Under 2 litre Touring Cars (U2TC) races, in a 1973 Abarth Osella PA1 and 1965 Mini Cooper S respectively.

Padmore, who this year is campaigning in the French V de V Championship and UK Speed Series, will share the PromotaSport-run Osella with Ian Bankhurst in the 1hr 30min Denny Hulme Trophy for World Sportscar Masters enduro.

The 1973 Cosworth FVC-powered Osella is one of only ten ever made and will re-live its' glory days from when it first took to the track, raced by Spaniard Paco Torredemer in the European Sportscar Championship all those years ago.

Reigate's Padmore will also take to the track in his family-run 1965 Mini Cooper S, sharing with father Keith. The pair last joined forces back in May at the Brands Hatch round of the Historic Masters where they put in a sterling performance and enjoyed many on-track dog fights as they battled for class honours.

"This is going to be a great weekend - I can't wait to get there!", enthused Padmore. It's going to be pretty hectic as I'll be racing both the Osella and Mini but that will only add to the drama and fun of it all!"

"The Osella has a similar weight and output as the Norma (M20F which Padmore races full time in French V de V) but, although I won't have driven it until testing on Thursday, know that it's going to be very different to drive. The technology and aero-package on it is over 35 years-old so I expect the car to move around a lot more which will provide a great spectacle for the spectators too."

"Racing the Mini is always a hairy ride and I'm looking forward to joining forces with my dad again. If our outing at Brands earlier in the year was anything to go by, we should be on for a class podium but we'll see. Whatever happens, it's going to be great racing and great fun for everyone."

"I would like to say a massive thank you to Fat Cat Design, Spindrift Media and PromotaSport for making this happen - without their invaluable support I would probably be watching the coverage on TV!"

Qualifying for the World Sports Car Masters is scheduled to take place on Friday from 16:30 - 17:00 with Saturday's 1hr 30min race commencing at 19:45. The U2TC qualifying session on Friday will run from 09:30 - 10:05 and the race on Saturday at 10:10 - 11:05.

You can follow Padmore's progress throughout the weekend with live coverage of the 2009 Silverstone Classic on Saturday, July 25th from 9:00 - 9:30pm, while Sunday’s coverage runs from 9:00 - 6:30 (Sky Channel 413 & Virgin Media 545).